MN HF1738

Property owners or municipalities may initiate detachment proceedings for rural property abutting municipal boundaries by submitting a petition (requiring 100% of owners if under 40 acres, or 75% if over 40 acres) or municipal resolution to the chief administrative law judge.

Petitioners must state reasons for detachment, describe prior efforts to resolve issues, and provide notice copies to the receiving town, abutting jurisdictions, and the county recorder.

Receiving town may submit a resolution supporting, opposing, or remaining neutral on the detachment; towns that oppose petitions supported by the municipality or support petitions opposed by the municipality become hearing parties.

Detachment is automatically granted if the municipality submits a support resolution and all property owners petition, with no town opposition; detachment is automatically denied if both the municipality and town oppose the petition.

Mediation is required instead of standard hearings in contested cases, with costs apportioned equitably by the chief administrative law judge, with petitioning landowners responsible for at least 50 percent of total costs.